1
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Eddine MA, Carvalho A, Schmutz M, Salez T, de Chateauneuf-Randon S, Bresson B, Pantoustier N, Monteux C, Belbekhouche S. Tuning the water intrinsic permeability of PEGDA hydrogel membranes by adding free PEG chains of varying molar masses. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:5367-5376. [PMID: 38916101 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00376d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
We explore the effect of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) molar mass on the intrinsic permeability and structural characteristics of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate PEGDA/PEG composite hydrogel membranes. We observe that by varying the PEG content and molar mass, we can finely adjust the water intrinsic permeability by several orders of magnitude. Notably, we show the existence of maximum water intrinsic permeability, already identified in a previous study to be located at the critical overlap concentration C* of PEG chains, for the highest PEG molar mass studied. Furthermore, we note that the maximum intrinsic permeability follows a non-monotonic evolution with respect to the PEG molar mass and reaches its peak at 35 000 g mol-1. Besides, our results show that a significant fraction of PEG chains is irreversibly trapped within the PEGDA matrix even for the lowest molar masses down to 600 g mol-1. This observation suggests the possibility of covalent grafting of the PEG chains onto the PEGDA matrix. CryoSEM and AFM measurements demonstrate the presence of large micron-sized cavities separated by PEGDA-rich walls whose nanometric structures strongly depend on the PEG content. By combining our permeability and structural measurements, we suggest that the PEG chains trapped inside the PEGDA-rich walls induce nanoscale defects in the crosslinking density, resulting in increased permeability below C*. Conversely, above C*, we speculate that partially trapped PEG chains may form a brush-like arrangement on the surface of the PEGDA-rich walls, leading to a reduction in permeability. These two opposing effects are anticipated to exhibit molar-mass-dependent trends, contributing to the non-monotonic variation of the maximum intrinsic permeability at C*. Overall, our results demonstrate the potential to fine-tune the properties of hydrogel membranes, offering new opportunities for separation applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malak Alaa Eddine
- Laboratoire Sciences et Ingénierie de la Matière Molle, ESPCI Paris, 10 rue Vauquelin, Cedex 05 75231 Paris, France.
- Université Paris Est Creteil, CNRS, Institut Chimie et Matériaux Paris Est, UMR 7182, 2 Rue Henri Dunant, 94320 Thiais, France.
| | - Alain Carvalho
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Institut Charles Sadron, 23 rue du Loess, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex 02, France
| | - Marc Schmutz
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Institut Charles Sadron, 23 rue du Loess, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex 02, France
| | - Thomas Salez
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, LOMA, UMR 5798, F-33400 Talence, France
| | - Sixtine de Chateauneuf-Randon
- Laboratoire Sciences et Ingénierie de la Matière Molle, ESPCI Paris, 10 rue Vauquelin, Cedex 05 75231 Paris, France.
| | - Bruno Bresson
- Laboratoire Sciences et Ingénierie de la Matière Molle, ESPCI Paris, 10 rue Vauquelin, Cedex 05 75231 Paris, France.
| | - Nadège Pantoustier
- Laboratoire Sciences et Ingénierie de la Matière Molle, ESPCI Paris, 10 rue Vauquelin, Cedex 05 75231 Paris, France.
| | - Cécile Monteux
- Laboratoire Sciences et Ingénierie de la Matière Molle, ESPCI Paris, 10 rue Vauquelin, Cedex 05 75231 Paris, France.
| | - Sabrina Belbekhouche
- Université Paris Est Creteil, CNRS, Institut Chimie et Matériaux Paris Est, UMR 7182, 2 Rue Henri Dunant, 94320 Thiais, France.
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2
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Wilcox K, Yamagami KR, Roopnarine BK, Linscott A, Morozova S. Effect of Polymer Gel Elasticity on Complex Coacervate Phase Behavior. ACS POLYMERS AU 2024; 4:109-119. [PMID: 38618006 PMCID: PMC11010254 DOI: 10.1021/acspolymersau.3c00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Gels are key materials in biological systems such as tissues and may control biocondensate formation and structure. To further understand the effects of elastic environments on biomacromolecular assembly, we have investigated the phase behavior and radii of complex coacervate droplets in polyacrylamide (PAM) networks as a function of gel modulus. Poly-l-lysine (PLL) and sodium hyaluronate (HA) complex coacervate phases were prepared in PAM gels with moduli varying from 0.035 to 15.0 kPa. The size of the complex coacervate droplets is reported from bright-field microscopy and confocal fluorescence microscopy. Overall, the complex coacervate droplet volume decreases inversely with the modulus. Fluorescence microscopy is also used to determine the phase behavior and concentration of fluorescently tagged HA in the complex coacervate phases as a function of ionic strength (100-270 mM). We find that the critical ionic strength and complex coacervate stability are nonmonotonic as a function of the network modulus and that the local gel concentration can be used to control phase behavior and complex coacervate droplet size scale. By understanding how elastic environments influence simple electrostatic assembly, we can further understand how biomacromolecules exist in complex, crowded, and elastic cellular environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn
G. Wilcox
- Department of Macromolecular
Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve
University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Kai R. Yamagami
- Department of Macromolecular
Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve
University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Brittany K. Roopnarine
- Department of Macromolecular
Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve
University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Adam Linscott
- Department of Macromolecular
Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve
University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Svetlana Morozova
- Department of Macromolecular
Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve
University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
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3
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Mallette AJ, Shilpa K, Rimer JD. The Current Understanding of Mechanistic Pathways in Zeolite Crystallization. Chem Rev 2024; 124:3416-3493. [PMID: 38484327 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Zeolite catalysts and adsorbents have been an integral part of many commercial processes and are projected to play a significant role in emerging technologies to address the changing energy and environmental landscapes. The ability to rationally design zeolites with tailored properties relies on a fundamental understanding of crystallization pathways to strategically manipulate processes of nucleation and growth. The complexity of zeolite growth media engenders a diversity of crystallization mechanisms that can manifest at different synthesis stages. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of classical and nonclassical pathways associated with the formation of (alumino)silicate zeolites. We begin with a brief overview of zeolite history and seminal advancements, followed by a comprehensive discussion of different classes of zeolite precursors with respect to their methods of assembly and physicochemical properties. The following two sections provide detailed discussions of nucleation and growth pathways wherein we emphasize general trends and highlight specific observations for select zeolite framework types. We then close with conclusions and future outlook to summarize key hypotheses, current knowledge gaps, and potential opportunities to guide zeolite synthesis toward a more exact science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Mallette
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Kumari Shilpa
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Jeffrey D Rimer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
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4
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Fernández-Rico C, Schreiber S, Oudich H, Lorenz C, Sicher A, Sai T, Bauernfeind V, Heyden S, Carrara P, Lorenzis LD, Style RW, Dufresne ER. Elastic microphase separation produces robust bicontinuous materials. NATURE MATERIALS 2024; 23:124-130. [PMID: 37884672 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-023-01703-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Bicontinuous microstructures are essential to the function of diverse natural and synthetic systems. Their synthesis has been based on two approaches: arrested phase separation or self-assembly of block copolymers. The former is attractive for its chemical simplicity and the latter, for its thermodynamic robustness. Here we introduce elastic microphase separation (EMPS) as an alternative approach to make bicontinuous microstructures. Conceptually, EMPS balances the molecular-scale forces that drive demixing with large-scale elasticity to encode a thermodynamic length scale. This process features a continuous phase transition, reversible without hysteresis. Practically, EMPS is triggered by simply supersaturating an elastomeric matrix with a liquid, resulting in uniform bicontinuous materials with a well-defined microscopic length scale tuned by the matrix stiffness. The versatility of EMPS is further demonstrated by fabricating bicontinuous materials with superior mechanical properties and controlled anisotropy and microstructural gradients. Overall, EMPS presents a robust alternative for the bulk fabrication of homogeneous bicontinuous materials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hamza Oudich
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Alba Sicher
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tianqi Sai
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Viola Bauernfeind
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | | | - Pietro Carrara
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Laura De Lorenzis
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Robert W Style
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Eric R Dufresne
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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5
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Garcia JU, Tree DR, Bagoyo A, Iwama T, Delaney KT, Fredrickson GH. Coarsening dynamics of ternary polymer solutions with mobility and viscosity contrasts. J Chem Phys 2023; 159:214904. [PMID: 38054518 DOI: 10.1063/5.0173992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Using phase-field simulations, we investigate the bulk coarsening dynamics of ternary polymer solutions undergoing a glass transition for two models of phase separation: diffusion only and with hydrodynamics. The glass transition is incorporated in both models by imposing mobility and viscosity contrasts between the polymer-rich and polymer-poor phases of the evolving microstructure. For microstructures composed of polymer-poor clusters in a polymer-rich matrix, the mobility and viscosity contrasts significantly hinder coarsening, effectively leading to structural arrest. For microstructures composed of polymer-rich clusters in a polymer-poor matrix, the mobility and viscosity contrasts do not impede domain growth; rather, they change the transient concentration of the polymer-rich phase, altering the shape of the discrete domains. This effect introduces several complexities to the coarsening process, including percolation inversion of the polymer-rich and polymer-poor phases-a phenomenon normally attributed to viscoelastic phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Ulric Garcia
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
- Asahi Kasei Corporation, 2-1 Samejima, Fuji, Shizuoka 416-8501, Japan
| | - Douglas R Tree
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA
| | - Alyssa Bagoyo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA
| | - Tatsuhiro Iwama
- Asahi Kasei Corporation, 2-1 Samejima, Fuji, Shizuoka 416-8501, Japan
| | - Kris T Delaney
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
| | - Glenn H Fredrickson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
- Department of Materials, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
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6
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Suganuma T, Workman JL. Chromatin balances cell redox and energy homeostasis. Epigenetics Chromatin 2023; 16:46. [PMID: 38017471 PMCID: PMC10683155 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-023-00520-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin plays a central role in the conversion of energy in cells: alteration of chromatin structure to make DNA accessible consumes energy, and compaction of chromatin preserves energy. Alteration of chromatin structure uses energy sources derived from carbon metabolism such as ATP and acetyl-CoA; conversely, chromatin compaction and epigenetic modification feedback to metabolism and energy homeostasis by controlling gene expression and storing metabolites. Coordination of these dual chromatin events must be flexibly modulated in response to environmental changes such as during development and exposure to stress. Aging also alters chromatin structure and the coordination of metabolism, chromatin dynamics, and other cell processes. Noncoding RNAs and other RNA species that associate directly with chromatin or with chromatin modifiers contribute to spatiotemporal control of transcription and energy conversion. The time required for generating the large amounts of RNAs and chromatin modifiers observed in super-enhancers may be critical for regulation of transcription and may be impacted by aging. Here, taking into account these factors, we review alterations of chromatin that are fundamental to cell responses to metabolic changes due to stress and aging to maintain redox and energy homeostasis. We discuss the relationship between spatiotemporal control of energy and chromatin function, as this emerging concept must be considered to understand how cell homeostasis is maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamaki Suganuma
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 E. 50th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA.
| | - Jerry L Workman
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 E. 50th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA
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7
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Kittel Y, Guerzoni LPB, Itzin C, Rommel D, Mork M, Bastard C, Häßel B, Omidinia-Anarkoli A, Centeno SP, Haraszti T, Kim K, Guck J, Kuehne AJC, De Laporte L. Varying the Stiffness and Diffusivity of Rod-Shaped Microgels Independently through Their Molecular Building Blocks. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202309779. [PMID: 37712344 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202309779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Microgels are water-swollen, crosslinked polymers that are widely used as colloidal building blocks in scaffold materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Microgels can be controlled in their stiffness, degree of swelling, and mesh size depending on their polymer architecture, crosslink density, and fabrication method-all of which influence their function and interaction with the environment. Currently, there is a lack of understanding of how the polymer composition influences the internal structure of soft microgels and how this morphology affects specific biomedical applications. In this report, we systematically vary the architecture and molar mass of polyethylene glycol-acrylate (PEG-Ac) precursors, as well as their concentration and combination, to gain insight in the different parameters that affect the internal structure of rod-shaped microgels. We characterize the mechanical properties and diffusivity, as well as the conversion of acrylate groups during photopolymerization, in both bulk hydrogels and microgels produced from the PEG-Ac precursors. Furthermore, we investigate cell-microgel interaction, and we observe improved cell spreading on microgels with more accessible RGD peptide and with a stiffness in a range of 20 kPa to 50 kPa lead to better cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonca Kittel
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials e. V., Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1-2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Luis P B Guerzoni
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials e. V., Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1-2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Carolina Itzin
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials e. V., Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1-2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Dirk Rommel
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials e. V., Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1-2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Matthias Mork
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials e. V., Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1-2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Céline Bastard
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials e. V., Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1-2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Center for Biohybrid Medical Systems (CBMS), Advanced Materials for Biomedicine (AMB), Institute of Applied Medical Engineering (AME), Forckenbeckstraße 55, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Häßel
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials e. V., Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1-2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Abdolrahman Omidinia-Anarkoli
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials e. V., Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1-2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Silvia P Centeno
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials e. V., Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tamás Haraszti
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials e. V., Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1-2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kyoohyun Kim
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light and Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Staudtstraße 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jochen Guck
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light and Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Staudtstraße 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alexander J C Kuehne
- Institute of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Laura De Laporte
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials e. V., Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1-2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Center for Biohybrid Medical Systems (CBMS), Advanced Materials for Biomedicine (AMB), Institute of Applied Medical Engineering (AME), Forckenbeckstraße 55, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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8
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Tang J, Chen Z, Cai Y, Gao Y, He J, Xiao Y, Mao J, Zhao J, Gao X, Li T, Luo Y. Composite elastomers with on-demand convertible phase separations achieve large and healable electro-actuation. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2023; 10:4501-4509. [PMID: 37551443 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh00781b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Phase separation has been widely exploited for fabricating structured functional materials. Generally, after being fabricated, the phase structure in a hybrid material system has been set at a specific length scale and remains unchanged during the lifespan of the material. Herein, we report a strategy to construct on-demand and reversible phase switches among homogenous, nano- and macro-phase separation states in a composite elastomer during its lifespan. We trigger the nanophase separation by super-saturating an elastomer matrix with a carefully selected small-molecule organic compound (SMOC). The nanoparticles of SMOC that precipitate out upon quenching will stretch the elastomer network, yet remain stably arrested in the elastomer matrix at low temperatures for a long time. However, at elevated temperatures, the nano-phase separation will transform into the macro-one. The elastic recovery will drive the SMOC onto the elastomer surface. The phase-separated structures can be reconfigured through the homogeneous solution state at a further elevated temperature. Taking advantage of the reversible phase switches leads to a novel strategy for designing high-performance dielectric elastomers. The in situ formed nanoparticles can boost the electro-actuation performance by eliminating electro-mechanical instability and lead to a very large actuation strain (∼146%). Once the actuator broke down, SMOC could on-demand be driven to the breakdown holes and heal the actuator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Zheqi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Yiting Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Yang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Jin He
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Youhua Xiao
- School of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| | - Jie Mao
- State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Utilization of Coal and Green Chemical Engineering School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, 750021, China
| | - Junjie Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Xiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Tiefeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Center for X-Mechanics, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yingwu Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
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9
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Liu JX, Haataja MP, Košmrlj A, Datta SS, Arnold CB, Priestley RD. Liquid-liquid phase separation within fibrillar networks. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6085. [PMID: 37770446 PMCID: PMC10539382 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41528-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Complex fibrillar networks mediate liquid-liquid phase separation of biomolecular condensates within the cell. Mechanical interactions between these condensates and the surrounding networks are increasingly implicated in the physiology of the condensates and yet, the physical principles underlying phase separation within intracellular media remain poorly understood. Here, we elucidate the dynamics and mechanics of liquid-liquid phase separation within fibrillar networks by condensing oil droplets within biopolymer gels. We find that condensates constrained within the network pore space grow in abrupt temporal bursts. The subsequent restructuring of condensates and concomitant network deformation is contingent on the fracture of network fibrils, which is determined by a competition between condensate capillarity and network strength. As a synthetic analog to intracellular phase separation, these results further our understanding of the mechanical interactions between biomolecular condensates and fibrillar networks in the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason X Liu
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
- Princeton Materials Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Mikko P Haataja
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
- Princeton Materials Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Andrej Košmrlj
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
- Princeton Materials Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Sujit S Datta
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Craig B Arnold
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
- Princeton Materials Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Rodney D Priestley
- Princeton Materials Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
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10
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Maciel BR, Grimm A, Oelschlaeger C, Schepers U, Willenbacher N. Targeted micro-heterogeneity in bioinks allows for 3D printing of complex constructs with improved resolution and cell viability. Biofabrication 2023; 15:045013. [PMID: 37552974 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/acee22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional bioprinting is an evolving versatile technique for biomedical applications. Ideal bioinks have complex micro-environment that mimic human tissue, allow for good printing quality and provide high cell viability after printing. Here we present two strategies for enhancing gelatin-based bioinks heterogeneity on a 1-100µm length scale resulting in superior printing quality and high cell viability. A thorough spatial and micro-mechanical characterization of swollen hydrogel heterogeneity was done using multiple particle tracking microrheology. When poly(vinyl alcohol) is added to homogeneous gelatin gels, viscous inclusions are formed due to micro-phase separation. This phenomenon leads to pronounced slip and superior printing quality of complex 3D constructs as well as high human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cell viability due to reduced shear damage during extrusion. Similar printability and cell viability results are obtained with gelatin/nanoclay composites. The formation of polymer/nanoclay clusters reduces the critical stress of gel fracture, which facilitates extrusion, thus enhancing printing quality and cell viability. Targeted introduction of micro-heterogeneities in bioinks through micro-phase separation is an effective technique for high resolution 3D printing of complex constructs with high cell viability. The size of the heterogeneities, however, has to be substantially smaller than the desired feature size in order to achieve good printing quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna R Maciel
- Institute of Mechanical Process Engineering and Mechanics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Alisa Grimm
- Institute of Functional Interfaces, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Claude Oelschlaeger
- Institute of Mechanical Process Engineering and Mechanics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Ute Schepers
- Institute of Functional Interfaces, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Norbert Willenbacher
- Institute of Mechanical Process Engineering and Mechanics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
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11
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Zhang G, Steck J, Kim J, Ahn CH, Suo Z. Hydrogels of arrested phase separation simultaneously achieve high strength and low hysteresis. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh7742. [PMID: 37390216 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh7742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels are being developed to bear loads. Applications include artificial tendons and muscles, which require high strength to bear loads and low hysteresis to reduce energy loss. However, simultaneously achieving high strength and low hysteresis has been challenging. This challenge is met here by synthesizing hydrogels of arrested phase separation. Such a hydrogel has interpenetrating hydrophilic and hydrophobic networks, which separate into a water-rich phase and a water-poor phase. The two phases arrest at the microscale. The soft hydrophilic phase deconcentrates stress in the strong hydrophobic phase, leading to high strength. The two phases are elastic and adhere through topological entanglements, leading to low hysteresis. For example, a hydrogel of 76 weight % water, made of poly(ethyl acrylate) and poly(acrylic acid), achieves a tensile strength of 6.9 megapascals and a hysteresis of 16.6%. This combination of properties has not been realized among previously existing hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guogao Zhang
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Jason Steck
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Junsoo Kim
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Christine Heera Ahn
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Zhigang Suo
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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12
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Arnold DP, Takatori SC. Bio-enabled Engineering of Multifunctional "Living" Surfaces. ACS NANO 2023. [PMID: 37294942 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c03138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Through the magic of "active matter"─matter that converts chemical energy into mechanical work to drive emergent properties─biology solves a myriad of seemingly enormous physical challenges. Using active matter surfaces, for example, our lungs clear an astronomically large number of particulate contaminants that accompany each of the 10,000 L of air we respire per day, thus ensuring that the lungs' gas exchange surfaces remain functional. In this Perspective, we describe our efforts to engineer artificial active surfaces that mimic active matter surfaces in biology. Specifically, we seek to assemble the basic active matter components─mechanical motor, driven constituent, and energy source─to design surfaces that support the continuous operation of molecular sensing, recognition, and exchange. The successful realization of this technology would generate multifunctional, "living" surfaces that combine the dynamic programmability of active matter and the molecular specificity of biological surfaces and apply them to applications in biosensors, chemical diagnostics, and other surface transport and catalytic processes. We describe our recent efforts in bio-enabled engineering of living surfaces through the design of molecular probes to understand and integrate native biological membranes into synthetic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P Arnold
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Sho C Takatori
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
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13
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de Heer Kloots MHP, Schoustra SK, Dijksman JA, Smulders MMJ. Phase separation in supramolecular and covalent adaptable networks. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:2857-2877. [PMID: 37060135 PMCID: PMC10131172 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00047h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Phase separation phenomena have been studied widely in the field of polymer science, and were recently also reported for dynamic polymer networks (DPNs). The mechanisms of phase separation in dynamic polymer networks are of particular interest as the reversible nature of the network can participate in the structuring of the micro- and macroscale domains. In this review, we highlight the underlying mechanisms of phase separation in dynamic polymer networks, distinguishing between supramolecular polymer networks and covalent adaptable networks (CANs). Also, we address the synergistic effects between phase separation and reversible bond exchange. We furthermore discuss the effects of phase separation on the material properties, and how this knowledge can be used to enhance and tune material properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn H P de Heer Kloots
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands.
- Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sybren K Schoustra
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Joshua A Dijksman
- Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute, Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Maarten M J Smulders
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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14
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Murphy JG, Raybin JG, Ansay GE, Sibener SJ. Spatiotemporal Mapping of Hole Nucleation and Growth during Block Copolymer Terracing with High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy. ACS NANO 2023; 17:5644-5652. [PMID: 36912602 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c11672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
As a platform for investigating two-dimensional phase separation, we track the structural evolution of block copolymer thin films during thermal annealing with environmentally controlled atomic force microscopy (AFM). Upon thermal annealing, block copolymer films with incommensurate thickness separate into a terraced morphology decorated with holes. With in situ imaging at 200 °C, we follow the continuous progression of terrace formation in a single region of a cylinder-forming poly(styrene-block-methyl methacrylate) thin film, beginning with the disordered morphology on an unpatterned silicon substrate and continuing through nucleation and coarsening stages. Topographic AFM imaging with nanoscale resolution simultaneously captures ensemble hole growth statistics while locally tracking polymer diffusion through measurements of the film thickness. At early times, we observe homogeneous hole nucleation and isotropic growth, with kinetics following the predictions of classical nucleation theory. At later times, however, we find anomalous hole growth which arises due to the combination of Ostwald ripening and coalescence mechanisms. In each case, our real-space observations highlight the importance of hole interactions for determining coarsening kinetics, mediated either through the interconnected phase for Ostwald ripening or through binary collision events for coalescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia G Murphy
- Department of Chemistry and The James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Jonathan G Raybin
- Department of Chemistry and The James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Genevieve E Ansay
- Department of Chemistry and The James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Steven J Sibener
- Department of Chemistry and The James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
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15
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Maguire SM, McClimon JB, Zhang AC, Keller AW, Bilchak CR, Ohno K, Carpick RW, Composto RJ. Nanoscale Structure-Property Relations in Self-Regulated Polymer-Grafted Nanoparticle Composite Structures. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:10974-10985. [PMID: 36802474 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c15786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Using a model system of poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted silica nanoparticles (PMMA-NP) and poly(styrene-ran-acrylonitrile) (SAN), we generate unique polymer nanocomposite (PNC) morphologies by balancing the degree of surface enrichment, phase separation, and wetting within the films. Depending on the annealing temperature and time, thin films undergo different stages of phase evolution, resulting in homogeneously dispersed systems at low temperatures, enriched PMMA-NP layers at the PNC interfaces at intermediate temperatures, and three-dimensional bicontinuous structures of PMMA-NP pillars sandwiched between two PMMA-NP wetting layers at high temperatures. Using a combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM), AFM nanoindentation, contact angle goniometry, and optical microscopy, we show that these self-regulated structures lead to nanocomposites with increased elastic modulus, hardness, and thermal stability compared to analogous PMMA/SAN blends. These studies demonstrate the ability to reliably control the size and spatial correlations of both the surface-enriched and phase-separated nanocomposite microstructures, which have attractive technological applications where properties such as wettability, toughness, and wear resistance are important. In addition, these morphologies lend themselves to substantially broader applications, including: (1) structural color applications, (2) tuning optical adsorption, and (3) barrier coatings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn M Maguire
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - J Brandon McClimon
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Aria C Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Austin W Keller
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Connor R Bilchak
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Kohji Ohno
- Department of Materials Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Metropolitan University, Sakai, Osaka 599-8531, Japan
| | - Robert W Carpick
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Russell J Composto
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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16
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The crucial role of elasticity in regulating liquid-liquid phase separation in cells. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2022; 22:645-654. [PMID: 36565390 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-022-01670-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation has emerged as a fundamental mechanism underlying intracellular organization, with evidence for it being reported in numerous different systems. However, there is a growing concern regarding the lack of quantitative rigor in the techniques employed to study phase separation, and their ability to account for the complex nature of the cellular milieu, which affects key experimentally observable measures, such as the shape, size and transport dynamics of liquid droplets. Here, we bridge this gap by combining recent experimental data with theoretical predictions that capture the subtleties of nonlinear elasticity and fluid transport. We show that within a biologically accessible range of material parameters, phase separation is highly sensitive to elastic properties and can thus be used as a mechanical switch to rapidly transition between different states in cellular systems. Furthermore, we show that this active mechanically mediated mechanism can drive transport across cells at biologically relevant timescales and could play a crucial role in promoting spatial localization of condensates; whether cells exploit such mechanisms for transport of their constituents remains an open question.
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17
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Combining drug salt formation with amorphous solid dispersions - a double edged sword. J Control Release 2022; 352:47-60. [PMID: 36206947 PMCID: PMC9733678 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.09.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Glass transition temperature (Tg) is important for amorphous compounds because it can have implications on their physical and chemical stability. With drugs that possess ionizable acidic or basic groups, salt formation is a potential strategy to reduce re-crystallization tendency through Tg elevation. While salt formation has been reported to impact re-crystallization tendency, it is not known if this holds true for all drugs and if it is useful in the context of amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) formulations. In addition, little information on the impact of salt formation on drug release performance of ASD is available. Herein, the influence of salt formation and Tg elevation on the release performance of lumefantrine (Tg = 19.7 °C) when formulated as an ASD with copovidone (PVPVA) was examined. Lumefantrine salts and lumefantrine salt-PVPVA ASDs with drug loadings (DLs) ranging from 5 to 30% were prepared. The acids used for salt formation were benzoic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, camphorsulfonic acid, hydrochloric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, poly(ethylene) glycol 250 diacid (PEG 250 diacid), and sulfuric acid. Salt formation resulted in an elevation of Tg compared to lumefantrine free base, with the largest increase in Tg observed with lumefantrine sulfate. With a lower Tg salt, ASDs could be formulated at higher DLs while ensuring drug release. In contrast, drug release ceased at a DL as low as 5% when Tg of the salt was high. However, ASDs with lower Tgs such as the benzoate and PEG 250 diacid salts showed poor stability against re-crystallization when stored under stress storage conditions. When using a salt in an ASD formulation, attention should be paid to the Tg of the salt, since it may show opposing effects on physical stability and drug release, at least for PVPVA-based ASDs.
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18
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Eddine MA, Belbekhouche S, de Chateauneuf-Randon S, Salez T, Kovalenko A, Bresson B, Monteux C. Large and Nonlinear Permeability Amplification with Polymeric Additives in Hydrogel Membranes. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Malak Alaa Eddine
- Laboratoire Sciences et Ingénierie de la Matière Molle, ESPCI Paris, 10 rue Vauquelin, Cedex05 75231Paris, France
- CNRS, Institut Chimie et Matériaux Paris Est, Université Paris Est Créteil, UMR 7182, 2 Rue Henri Dunant, 94320Thiais, France
| | - Sabrina Belbekhouche
- CNRS, Institut Chimie et Matériaux Paris Est, Université Paris Est Créteil, UMR 7182, 2 Rue Henri Dunant, 94320Thiais, France
| | | | - Thomas Salez
- CNRS, Univ. Bordeaux, LOMA, UMR 5798, F-33400Talence, France
| | - Artem Kovalenko
- Laboratoire Sciences et Ingénierie de la Matière Molle, ESPCI Paris, 10 rue Vauquelin, Cedex05 75231Paris, France
| | - Bruno Bresson
- Laboratoire Sciences et Ingénierie de la Matière Molle, ESPCI Paris, 10 rue Vauquelin, Cedex05 75231Paris, France
| | - Cécile Monteux
- Laboratoire Sciences et Ingénierie de la Matière Molle, ESPCI Paris, 10 rue Vauquelin, Cedex05 75231Paris, France
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19
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Abstract
Biological tissues, such as cartilage, tendon, ligament, skin, and plant cell wall, simultaneously achieve high water content and high load-bearing capacity. The high water content enables the transport of nutrients and wastes, and the high load-bearing capacity provides structural support for the organisms. These functions are achieved through nanostructures. This biological fact has inspired synthetic mimics, but simultaneously achieving both functions has been challenging. The main difficulty is to construct nanostructures of high load-bearing capacity, characterized by multiple properties, including elastic modulus, strength, toughness, and fatigue threshold. Here we develop a process that self-assembles a nanocomposite using a hydrogel-forming polymer and a glass-forming polymer. The process separates the polymers into a hydrogel phase and a glass phase. The two phases arrest at the nanoscale and are bicontinuous. Submerged in water, the nanocomposite maintains the structure and resists further swelling. We demonstrate the process using commercial polymers, achieving high water content, as well as load-bearing capacity comparable to that of polyethylene. During the process, a rubbery stage exists, enabling us to fabricate objects of complex shapes and fine features. We conduct further experiments to discuss likely molecular origins of arrested phase separation, swell resistance, and ductility. Potential applications of the nanocomposites include artificial tissues, high-pressure filters, low-friction coatings, and solid electrolytes.
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20
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Michieletto D, Marenda M. Rheology and Viscoelasticity of Proteins and Nucleic Acids Condensates. JACS AU 2022; 2:1506-1521. [PMID: 35911447 PMCID: PMC9326828 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.2c00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Phase separation is as familiar as watching vinegar separating from oil in vinaigrette. The observation that phase separation of proteins and nucleic acids is widespread in living cells has opened an entire field of research into the biological significance and the biophysical mechanisms of phase separation and protein condensation in biology. Recent evidence indicates that certain proteins and nucleic acids condensates are not simple liquids and instead display both viscous and elastic behaviors, which in turn may have biological significance. The aim of this Perspective is to review the state-of-the-art of this quickly emerging field focusing on the material and rheological properties of protein condensates. Finally, we discuss the different techniques that can be employed to quantify the viscoelasticity of condensates and highlight potential future directions and opportunities for interdisciplinary cross-talk between chemists, physicists, and biologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Michieletto
- School
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie
Tait Road, Edinburgh EH9
3FD, U.K.
- MRC
Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, U.K.
| | - Mattia Marenda
- School
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie
Tait Road, Edinburgh EH9
3FD, U.K.
- MRC
Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, U.K.
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21
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Li J, Zhang M, Ma W, Yang B, Lu H, Zhou F, Zhang L. Post-translational modifications in liquid-liquid phase separation: a comprehensive review. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:13. [PMID: 35543798 PMCID: PMC9092326 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00075-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) has received significant attention in recent biological studies. It refers to a phenomenon that biomolecule exceeds the solubility, condensates and separates itself from solution in liquid like droplets formation. Our understanding of it has also changed from memebraneless organelles to compartmentalization, muti-functional crucibles, and reaction regulators. Although this phenomenon has been employed for a variety of biological processes, recent studies mainly focus on its physiological significance, and the comprehensive research of the underlying physical mechanism is limited. The characteristics of side chains of amino acids and the interaction tendency of proteins function importantly in regulating LLPS thus should be pay more attention on. In addition, the importance of post-translational modifications (PTMs) has been underestimated, despite their abundance and crucial functions in maintaining the electrostatic balance. In this review, we first introduce the driving forces and protein secondary structures involved in LLPS and their different physical functions in cell life processes. Subsequently, we summarize the existing reports on PTM regulation related to LLPS and analyze the underlying basic principles, hoping to find some common relations between LLPS and PTM. Finally, we speculate several unreported PTMs that may have a significant impact on phase separation basing on the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxian Li
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Mengdi Zhang
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, 310015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weirui Ma
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Bing Yang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Huasong Lu
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Fangfang Zhou
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China.
| | - Long Zhang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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